NEW DELHI: In a recent address, Brigadier General (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hossain, the home affairs advisor for Bangladesh’s interim government, warned the recently ousted Awami League against inciting disorder or attempting a counter-revolution.
Speaking at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka, Sakhawat urged the Awami League to pursue peaceful reorganization to avoid further bloodshed. He also emphasized the need for an international investigation into the fatalities from recent student protests and set a deadline of August 19 for the return of looted weapons, warning of strict measures if the deadline is not met, according to media sources.
Parallely, Dr Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government, is scheduled to meet senior BNP leaders today, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. This meeting marks the first formal engagement between the interim government and the BNP since the formation of the interim administration following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster amid a student-led movement.
On Sunday, the advisory council of the interim government made several significant decisions. It was decided that the government would cover medical expenses for protesters injured during recent demonstrations and support the families of deceased protesters.
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Additionally, efforts will be made to secure the release of 57 Bangladeshi nationals detained in the UAE for their involvement in the student protests. The council also pledged to ensure an adequate supply of essentials and address the attacks on religious minorities.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over these attacks saying that “what was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses, and temples also came under attack at multiple locations.”
India has evacuated all non-essential staff and their families from its embassy and consulates in Bangladesh, two Indian government sources told the media.
On the other hand, Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, advisor for the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, stated that primary education activities would remain suspended until stability is restored. The interim government will consult with stakeholders before deciding on the reopening of schools.
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Amid the turmoil, businesses in Bangladesh face a severe liquidity crunch due to a cash withdrawal limit imposed by the Bangladesh Bank, capping withdrawals at 2 lakh per account.
Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy posted a video message on his verified Facebook page, saying, “I am calling on the common people of Bangladesh to pay their respects peacefully to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family at 32 Dhanmondi on August 15. Protest against the ongoing conspiracy to erase the memory of the Father of the Nation from Bangladesh. Jai Bangla, Jai Bangabandhu.”
Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have meanwhile gained widespread attention from around the world. In Houston, over 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered at Sugar Land City Hall on Sunday morning to protest against attacks on minorities in Bangladesh by Islamist extremists.